Hundreds Turned Away from LDU Recruitment in Mbale

Dozens of youths who turned up for interviews for the recruitment of Local Defense Personnel at Bugema Army Barracks in Mbale City on Tuesday were turned away. 

The two-day exercise targets to recruit 283 Local Defense Personnel from five districts namely Mbale, Mbale City, Bulambuli, Kween, Kapchorwa and Bukwo.  

Many of those turned away were not on the shortlist while others lacked valid academic documents or National Identity cards. 

Brig. Gen. Eriazile Sake Okolong, the team leader of the recruitment exercise said that they received an overwhelming number of applicants.

   

He explained that the exercise started with the applicants submitting their application at the districts, where were sent to Kampala for scrutiny.

He explained that only short-listed candidates were expected to show up at the barracks for interviews with their papers.

Okolong cautioned the applicants to be on the lookout for conmen, saying the exercise is free.

//Cue in: “Bulambuli kween Kapchorwa…  

   

Cue out:…the paper finished,”//    

Some of the applicants who were turned away said the recruitment exercise wasn’t free and fair. 

Jack Kuloba, who travelled from Bulambuli district, said that he submitted his application and academic documents to the district and wondered how he missed on the shortlist.  

He explained that he wanted to join the forces such that he returns home to Bunambutye sub-county and protect their cattle from rustlers who killed his parents in one of the raids.  

 

//Cue in: “I tried to take…   

Cue out:…as you see me”//        

Ben Oyu, who travelled from Katakwi said that he is a senior six graduate and decided to join the forces because his father can no longer pay his tuition.

//Cue in: “But for me I…   

Cue out:…pay my university,”//    

Daniel Wanchope, a resident of Mbale wants the government to prioritize job creation for the youths to prevent them from being so desperate to join the forces, which has limited slots. 

 

//Cue in: “Like the government… 

 

Cue out:…tufune ku milimu”//      

Michael Elume, who had escorted his two sons, said his children were rejected without any explanation. He said that his children sat senior six and passed well.  

//Cue in: “Nenga osomesa omwana…    

Cue out:…sente nyinji nyo”//          

Over 1800 applicants are expected to be recruited in LDU from the 3rd Division, which covers Bukedi, Bugisu, Teso, Sebei and Karamoja sub-regions. 

Recently, UPDF announced the recruitment of another batch of 10,000 Local Defense Personnel countrywide targeting youths between 18 and 29 years with a minimum of Uganda Certificate of Education.